Friday, March 28, 2014

Deuteronomy 8-10; Romans 8

Moses continues to go over the relationship between the LORD and the people, especially with a focus on what the LORD has done.  In 8, he reminds them that even after 40 years in the wilderness, their stuff did not wear out, then a warning not to be arrogant, that the LORD provided their water and their manna and their quail, that they did not make themselves rich.


9 describes how the LORD has and will go in ahead of the people to drive out those who are there, and that the people are not getting the land because of their own righteousness, but because of the LORD's judgment on the land in fulfillment of promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 


It goes on to remind the people of how they had Aaron create the Golden Calf, sinning against the LORD, causing Moses to destroy the tablets of the Commandments given by the LORD.  Finally, after all their sins, Moses reminds them it was his intervention with the LORD that kept the people from being destroyed for their disobedience.


In 10, Moses reminds them how new tablets were created for the 10 Commandments, an ark was built for them, and the LORD's requirement that the people love and obey their God.


Romans 8 sets up contrast between the 'flesh', of the sinful world, and the 'Spirit', transcendent of the sinful world.  It is the Spirit of Christ that dwells in those who will go with Jesus beyond the sinful.  We owe God our very lives for seeing us through to the possibility of salvation.  Paul looks to the glory that will come as superior to the suffering received now.  He assures us that God is our help and our salvation. 


Chapter 8 may well be one of the most significant chapters on the power of God in transforming our lives in the entire bible.

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